Cost of Living in Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca is a city in Mexico, where a single person can expect to spend about $800 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $453 per month, or $291 outside the centre. Internet is workable at around 46 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Oaxaca scores 55/100 — moderately safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 82°F and winter highs around 80°F, with roughly 322 sunny days a year.
Oaxaca Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Oaxaca
How Oaxaca Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Oaxaca ranks in the top 9% for food scene, but sits in the bottom 11% for air quality. It is cheaper than 85% of them.
| Metric | Oaxaca | World rank | Rank in Latin America & Caribbean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $800 | #51 of 340 | #16 of 63 |
| Safety | 55/100 | #213 of 340 | #14 of 63 |
| Healthcare | 45/100 | #300 of 340 | #45 of 63 |
| Internet speed | 46 Mbps | #298 of 340 | #54 of 63 |
| Walkability | 70/100 | #100 of 340 | #6 of 63 |
| Public transit | 25/100 | #224 of 340 | #39 of 63 |
| Food scene | 90/100 | #30 of 340 | #2 of 63 |
| Air quality | 60/100 | #306 of 340 | #59 of 63 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Oaxaca
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Oaxaca.
- Mendoza, Argentina — $680/mo, 15% cheaper, safety 52/100
- Cuenca, Ecuador — $649/mo, 19% cheaper, safety 55/100 · Compare with Oaxaca
- Utila, Honduras — $600/mo, 25% cheaper, safety 48/100
Oaxaca FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Oaxaca?
A single person should budget around $800 per month in Oaxaca, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.
How much is rent in Oaxaca?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Oaxaca averages $453 per month, dropping to about $291 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $699.
Is Oaxaca safe?
Oaxaca scores 55/100 on safety, which is moderately safe. Tourist safety is rated 55/100.
How fast is the internet in Oaxaca?
Median download speeds in Oaxaca are around 46 Mbps — workable for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 25 coworking spaces in the city.
Does Mexico offer a digital nomad visa?
Mexico does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders can usually stay 180 days visa-free.
What is the weather like in Oaxaca?
Oaxaca sees summer highs around 82°F and winter highs near 80°F, with about 322 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 59 days.
Oaxaca in our travel guides
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- The Cheapest Places to Travel in 2026: 20 Budget Destinations Ranked
- Is Mexico Safe to Travel to in 2026? Complete Safety Guide for Tourists
- Best Winter Sun Destinations to Escape the Cold in 2026
- Best Cities with Warm Weather Year-Round in 2026
- Best Coffee Cities in the World for 2026
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